“”When [co-infection] happens, influenza viruses are able to swap genes,” lead author and ESR researcher Matthew Peacey said. “The worry here is this event could give rise to a more virulent influenza strain, such as a pandemic strain that is resistant to Tamiflu, and so needs to be monitored closely.”

“None of the 11 people with co-infections – or two others who researchers believe also contracted both strains – were severely ill or admitted to hospital. The co-infections were discovered almost by accident, so researchers had been unable to test whether gene-swapping had occurred, Dr Peacey said. It “more than certainly” had, however.

“Gene-swapping would not necessarily result in a more harmful flu strain forming, but a risk still existed, the researchers concluded.”

Register as a Journalist, Expert or Media Officer below

Latest Blog Post

The Science Media Centre will next month take its popular science video making workshops to Christchurch and Dunedin, offering more researchers the chance to get science video savvy. These Science Media SAVVY workshops focus on giving scientists the tools and skills to communicate their research in 90 second videos aimed at an online audience... >> Read Full Post